Effects of a companion dog on associations of danger and threat with oriental-looking targets

Aydin, Niluefer; Gula, Bartosz; Albrecht, Julia; Obermeier, Marcel; Lermer, Eva and Pfundmair, Michaela (2019): Effects of a companion dog on associations of danger and threat with oriental-looking targets. In: European Journal of Social Psychology, Vol. 49, No. 2: pp. 439-446

Abstract

In the current study we extend previous findings on the shooter bias toward targets with Arab ethnicity. In an adapted shooter task, we presented stereotypically oriental-looking targets without explicit symbols of Islam (e.g., a turban) and additionally tested if presenting a "harmless" companion dog, together with Arab versus White targets, would affect the shooter bias. Participants responded faster and made fewer errors for armed Arab than for armed White targets. Moreover, compared to the "neutral" no dog condition, the presence of a dog triggered fewer false alarms for White than for Arab targets and slowed down (correct) responses in general. Implications and potential underlying mechanisms are discussed.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Psychology and Education Science > Department Psychology
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 150 Psychology
• ISSN: 0046-2772
• Language: English